Buffalo Bills' Offseason "To Do" List
Buffalo started this season off with a "bang." They were winning games in impressive come-from-behind fashion. Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick was connecting with Steve Johnson and Scott Chandler. Fred Jackson was once again doing his usual "I'm a top notch running back" impression (I believe he is). That opportunistic defense was getting after people and creating turnovers.
Then something happened. Buffalo couldn't quite capture the same Fitz-magic in the middle portion of the season. Maybe they were playing above their heads if that's even possible. Maybe teams were underestimating them. Fitzgerald came down to Earth. Fred Jackson was eventually dinged up and landed on injured reserved. They were giving up points like a Big 12 defense during bowl season.
Most analysts would give the Bills with a passing grade. I'm one of them. Although the ultimate goal is the playoffs, this team showed it was capable of playing with anybody on any given Sunday. The organization itself should not be proud of failing to make the playoffs, especially after such a hot start, but Bills' fans can appreciate that Head Coach Chan Gailey has them trending upwards.
They have young budding stars on both sides of the ball. Offensively, they have two running backs with unique skill sets in Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller. Defensive lineman Marcel Dareus and safety Jarius Byrd stand out on defense. With a balanced spread attack on offense and a 3-4 defense they look to add more pieces to make noise in the AFC East division. Here's a look at their offseason "to do" list:
Re-sign Demetrius Bell: Buffalo MUST re-sign Bell. He's there best offensive tackle. He can play left or right tackle. He shouldn't be too high priced if he hits the open market.
Re-sign Steve Johnson: Once the Bills lock up Bell long term, they should turn there attention to Steve Johnson. He was benched during the last game of the season due to "me" attitude. He's a bit of a diva. He also experiences a case of the "dropsies" occasionally. With all that said, he's still absolutely brilliant running routes and in the red zone. No sense in letting someone else show off your late round gem.
3-4 Rush LB?: Buffalo, you've had your fun with "Light's Out" Shawne Merriman. He is not the premier pass rusher he waswhen he was on steroids in San Diego. They need an elite pass rusher on the opposite side if they want this 3-4 to work.
Fill Out OL: Buffalo had issues along the offensive line. If they want to give Fitzpatrick a chance, they'll need to keep him upright with a clean pocket so he has throwing lanes. With Demetrius Bell and Eric Wood, they have something to build on, but another offensive tackle (via draft perhaps) would do wonders for their mediocre line.
Run Defense: Marcel Dareus is key in the run defense. He's a versatile player who plays both nose tackle and defensive end. But he needs help. Kyle Williams will be back from injury but inside linebacker help is a must. The roster is full of yound, undersized potential but potential just means you haven't done anything yet. Buffalo would be wise to look for a veteran ILB with 3-4 experience like London Fletcher (Redskins) or Ahmad Brooks (49ers).
Buffalo could have a successful season next year if they continue to grow in continuity and add a playmaker or two on defense. Offensively, Buffalo can score with an anyone on a good day. The problem is they can't count on their defense for the bad days. If they want to keep pace with New England, they'll need a good draft this April. Good luck!
Then something happened. Buffalo couldn't quite capture the same Fitz-magic in the middle portion of the season. Maybe they were playing above their heads if that's even possible. Maybe teams were underestimating them. Fitzgerald came down to Earth. Fred Jackson was eventually dinged up and landed on injured reserved. They were giving up points like a Big 12 defense during bowl season.
Most analysts would give the Bills with a passing grade. I'm one of them. Although the ultimate goal is the playoffs, this team showed it was capable of playing with anybody on any given Sunday. The organization itself should not be proud of failing to make the playoffs, especially after such a hot start, but Bills' fans can appreciate that Head Coach Chan Gailey has them trending upwards.
They have young budding stars on both sides of the ball. Offensively, they have two running backs with unique skill sets in Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller. Defensive lineman Marcel Dareus and safety Jarius Byrd stand out on defense. With a balanced spread attack on offense and a 3-4 defense they look to add more pieces to make noise in the AFC East division. Here's a look at their offseason "to do" list:
Re-sign Demetrius Bell: Buffalo MUST re-sign Bell. He's there best offensive tackle. He can play left or right tackle. He shouldn't be too high priced if he hits the open market.
Re-sign Steve Johnson: Once the Bills lock up Bell long term, they should turn there attention to Steve Johnson. He was benched during the last game of the season due to "me" attitude. He's a bit of a diva. He also experiences a case of the "dropsies" occasionally. With all that said, he's still absolutely brilliant running routes and in the red zone. No sense in letting someone else show off your late round gem.
3-4 Rush LB?: Buffalo, you've had your fun with "Light's Out" Shawne Merriman. He is not the premier pass rusher he was
Fill Out OL: Buffalo had issues along the offensive line. If they want to give Fitzpatrick a chance, they'll need to keep him upright with a clean pocket so he has throwing lanes. With Demetrius Bell and Eric Wood, they have something to build on, but another offensive tackle (via draft perhaps) would do wonders for their mediocre line.
Run Defense: Marcel Dareus is key in the run defense. He's a versatile player who plays both nose tackle and defensive end. But he needs help. Kyle Williams will be back from injury but inside linebacker help is a must. The roster is full of yound, undersized potential but potential just means you haven't done anything yet. Buffalo would be wise to look for a veteran ILB with 3-4 experience like London Fletcher (Redskins) or Ahmad Brooks (49ers).
Buffalo could have a successful season next year if they continue to grow in continuity and add a playmaker or two on defense. Offensively, Buffalo can score with an anyone on a good day. The problem is they can't count on their defense for the bad days. If they want to keep pace with New England, they'll need a good draft this April. Good luck!
No comments:
Post a Comment